Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C in prisons: a prevalence study

This study included 180 prisoners from the Buca F-Type Closed Prison, and 180 prisoners from the Fo ça Open Prison in Turkey. After the training seminars, serum levels of HBsAg, anti HBs, anti HBc total and anti HCV in the prisoners were assessed using the MICROELISA method. Findings All the prisoners were male. The mean age was 40(21–73) years. According to the results of 360 prisoners from both prisons, 17 (4.7 percent) prisoners were HBsAg positive and were diagnosed as HBV. Isolated anti HBs was positive in 33 (9.1 percent) prisoners who had been previously vaccinated. In 25 (6.9 percent) prisoners isolated Anti HBc total was positive, and in 61 (16.9 percent) prisoners both Anti HB s and Anti HBc total was positive in those who were considered to be recovered from the HBV. Anti HCV was positive in 2 (0.5 percent) prisoners; the process was repeated twice, and found to be repeatedly positive. Coinfection of HBV and HCV was not detected. Research limitations/implications In th is study, the prevalence of HBV and HCV was determined to be similar to those in the normal population. However, it is not expedient to generalize this result and apply it to all prisons. For the sake of public health, prisons should be scanned for infectious diseases, and vaccinations must be appli ed as necessary, in order to provide protection. Originality/value It is a study to determine the prevalence of HBV and HCV in the prisoner population, which constitute one of the risk groups becaus...
Source: International Journal of Prisoner Health - Category: Criminology Source Type: research